LAKE DALLAS ISD NAMED
TAEA DISTRICT
OF DISTINCTION For Visual Arts For A Second Straight Year by Contributing Writer | photo courtesy by LDISD Social Media Page
T
he Texas Art Education Association has named Lake Dallas ISD a District of Distinction for its visual arts programs and initiatives, making the district one of just 43 in the state to earn the prestigious honor.
More than 1,000 school districts were eligible to apply for the recognition, with Lake Dallas ISD earning the honor by meeting or exceeding a rigorous 12-point rubric. The rubric examines a district’s visual art program from participation in TAEA in areas such as community engagement in the visual arts, community service, collaboration with other content areas, and more. This marks the second consecutive year Lake Dallas ISD has earned the TAEA’s District of Distinction honor, led by the work of Lake Dallas High School visual art
teachers Jeanette Murray and Lacy Almeida.
ability to work collectively across the
district for comprehensive visual arts education, from dedicated visual
arts teachers to school and district administrators who value our
programs,” Mrs. Almeida said. “Art is such an important part of life, and “Many of the recipients of this visual arts is an area where every honor are larger districts student can have something to “ART IS SUCH AN with extensive visual arts offer from their own unique IMPORTANT PART OF LIFE, staff, so we are extremely perspectives and visions,” AND VISUAL ARTS IS AN proud to show up as a Mrs. Murray said. “When AREA WHERE EVERY STUDENT students leave school, smaller district.” CAN HAVE SOMETHING TO art will permeate their This year’s requirements OFFER FROM THEIR OWN world, and I’m proud our were adjusted to fit UNIQUE PERSPECTIVES schools give students an the rapid shift to online AND VISIONS...” opportunity to explore that. instruction and participation I hope what they’ve learned here in light of COVID-19 concerns, will lead to an appreciation of visual arts including district responses throughout their lives.” to the educational challenges. The Lake Dallas High In addition to Mrs. Almeida and School duo worked Mrs. Murray, who led the application closely with the district’s middle school and elementary visual art teachers to submit this year’s rubric, showcasing the educators’ best practices and unique lessons.
24 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | NOVEMBER 2020
“This was all possible because of our
process, Lake Dallas ISD’s visual art
teachers include Lake Dallas Middle
School’s Janay Davis and Deanna Smith, Corinth Elementary School’s Shirley
Frase, Lake Dallas Elementary School’s Jennifer Manis, and Shady Shores
Elementary School’s Shannon Henson. www.LakeCitiesLiving.com
